- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:30457-DB WP No. 20115 of 2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 6TH DAY OF AUGUST, 2025 PRESENT THE HON'BLE MR. VIBHU BAKHRU, CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE C M JOSHI WRIT PETITION NO. 20115 OF 2025 (GM-R/C-PIL) BETWEEN: 1. PADMANABHA CHAR K.S. S/O SATHYANARAYANA CHAR K.S. ARCHAKARU AGED ABOUT 68 YEARS WARD NO 14, KANDAVAR CHIKKBALLAPURA - 562 101. 2. MANJUNATH R S/O RUDRAIAH A.V. ARCHAKARU AGED ABOUT 59 YEARS AGALAGURKI CHIKKABALLAPURA - 562 103. 3. BANUTEJA B.L. S/O LAKSHMINARASIMHACHAR ARCHAKARU AGED ABOUT 52 YEARS CHIKKABALLAPURA (TALUK) Digitally signed by PRABHAKAR SWETHA KRISHNAN Location: High Court of Karnataka - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:30457-DB WP No. 20115 of 2025 BEEDAGANAHALLI CHIKKABALLAPURA - 562 103. 4. LAKSHMIKANTHA D.N. S/O N. NAGESHA ARCHAKARU AGED ABOUT 23 YEARS NO 105, MILK DAIRY ROAD, DODDAMARANAHALLI (P) CHIKKABALLAPURA - 562 103. 5. PRAMOD KUMAR S/O LATE NAGENDRA K ARCHAKARU AGED ABOUT 32 YEARS KAMASHETTAHALLI GUNDLAGURKI (POST) CHIKKABALLAPURA - 562 101. …PETITIONERS (BY SMT. SHAKUNTHALA, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA REP. BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY VIDHANA SOUDHA BENGALURU - 560 001. - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:30457-DB WP No. 20115 of 2025 2. THE COMMISSIONER RELIGIOUS AND CHARITABLE ENDOWMENTS DEPARTMENT BANGALORE - 560 001. 3. THE PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, REVENUE DEPARTMENT DEPARTMENT RELIGIOUS AND CHARITABLE ENDOWMENTS VIKASA SOUDHA BENGALURU - 560 001. …RESPONDENTS (BY SMT. NILOUFER AKBAR, AGA) THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLE 226 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO ISSUE AN APPROPRIATE WRIT, ORDER OR DIRECTION DIRECTING THE RESPONDENTS TO TEMPORARILY SUSPEND THE DBT-ONLY SYSTEM AND RESTORE THE EARLIER SELF-DECLARATION BASED TASDIK DISBURSAL SYSTEM UNTIL ALL ARCHAKAS ARE FORMALLY DOCUMENTED AND CONNECTED & ETC. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:30457-DB WP No. 20115 of 2025 CORAM: HON'BLE MR. VIBHU BAKHRU ,CHIEF JUSTICE and HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE C M JOSHI ORAL ORDER (PER: HON'BLE MR. VIBHU BAKHRU,CHIEF JUSTICE) 1. The petitioners have filed the present petition, inter alia, praying that the directions be issued to the respondents to temporarily suspend the Direct Benefit Transfer [DBT system] and restore the earlier system of self-declaration for disbursal of benefits to all Archakas (priests). 2. The learned counsel for the petitioners submits that the DBT system, which is sought to be put in place requires compliance of several formalities, which would be difficult for Archakas to comply. She submits that the system now requires uploading of several documents, such as identity cards, Aadhar cards and other account details, on an online portal, for the benefits to be transferred directly. She also submits that many of the Archakas are in rural areas and they do not have identity cards. Additionally, she submits that the Archakas would have to travel long distance, in some - 5 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:30457-DB WP No. 20115 of 2025 cases almost ten kilometers, to submit the details. She earnestly contends that the earlier system, which required the disbursal to be made through Tahsildars to the concerned temples, would better serve the Archakas. 3. We are unable to accept the aforesaid contention. It is difficult to accept that the task of uploading the necessary identity details of the beneficiaries is an onerous one, which warrants any interference by this Court. One of the principal benefits of the DBT system is to prevent leakage and diversion of funds. Considering the benefits of the same, the concerned authorities, have decided to implement the DBT system. 4. The procedure for disbursal of benefits, is a matter that is required to be examined by the concerned authorities. Insofar as the present petition is concerned, the examination is confined to determining whether the DBT system is arbitrary or unreasonable or otherwise offends the equal protection clause. 5. We are unable to accept that the DBT system can be faulted on the grounds that it violates any of the constitutional guarantees. - 6 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:30457-DB WP No. 20115 of 2025 6. The present petition is unmerited and it is accordingly dismissed. 7. Needless to say that if the Archakas find any impediment in availing the benefits under the DBT system, they are at liberty to assert their rights in accordance with law. The District Legal Services Authority shall render full assistance to Archakas to avail their rights. Sd/- (VIBHU BAKHRU) CHIEF JUSTICE Sd/- (C M JOSHI) JUDGE KPS List No.: 1 Sl No.: 12